how long can a puppy be left home alone?

[MrsMiniver]

I'm sure this has been covered before so forgive me.

We're thinking of getting a puppy but as I work part-time, it would be left alone for up to 8 hours two days a week and 6 hours for a further two (I work four days a week). I could possibly get home at lunch-time on the 8 hour days but not the others. Would confine it to a crate/pen when we're not around.

Am I being realistic in thinking this is acceptable? From the research I've done, it would seem there are simply droves of people who've had puppies who don't work and can stay at home 24 hours a day and think it's completely out of order to leave a puppy for more than an hour at a time.

I'm afraid it seems too long to me. We didn't get a pup till I started working from home.

Apart from the psychological aspects, 6 hours in the daytime is too long without a wee - if he has to wee in crate it'll foul up houstraining.

Have you considered an older dog (rescue or from breeder) - you might find a placid well-adjusted one (though even then wouldn't want to leave too long at the outset till he was settled in)

Sorry but that's far too long, I'd say even for a dog. Pups need access to the toilet every hour or so when training, plus human company, walks, playing with, training, feeding 3/4 times a day!

We're collecting our puppy at the weekend (v excited!). I work only 2 days a week but won't be leaving pup at all for the first few months - I'm employing a puppy sitter. New pups need to be toilet trained which involves taking them outside every hour. More to the point a puppy needs to be socialised and trained in order for it to grow into the family dog you wish it to be. I don't think a puppy is for you at the moment.

You know the expression 'followed me round like a puppy'? It exists because that's exactly what pups do. They really don't like being alone.

BTW - no need to apologise for asking, even if its been covered before I'm glad you did

Thank you all, it does seem I'll have to reconsider.

We did initially want a rescue dog but it has to be a small breed because we have a small house/garden and it has to get on with the cat so that rules out terriers! As rescues just seem to be full of JRTs we're at a bit of a loss :( Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm glad you're reconsidering. TBH any breeder who would have let you have a pup with those hours probably isn't really reputable. Anyone selling a pup who didn't ask about how you'd be caring for it shouldn't be touched with a bargepole.

I'm sure rescues must have some other small dogs - do the ones you've investigated have any sort of waiting list? The other bonus of getting a mature dog is that their traits will have emerged - regardless of breed they should have a good idea as to child/cat compatibility. (I know JRTs who co-exist with both).

Another option for finding older dogs is to look at breed websites for breeds you might be interested in. They usually have not only 'puppy finders' but also older dogs who need a home. This may be bitches who have had enough pups or dogs kept for show/stud who didn't make the grade - our current dog is one such, we were looking for a pup when previous dog died but found ours who is lovely but had developed alopaceia!

Glad you're reconsidering.

For anyone else wondering though, I would say 2 hours is the max and try and time it with nap time so that pup wouldn't have been following you around anyway. And not a whole load of two hour stints either, i.e. so not leave alone for 2 hours, play with for 10 minutes, leave alone for two hours again etc. Once a day max.

Re older dogs, don't rule out larger breeds. Some of them have less energy than the little dogs.

Re older dogs, don't rule out larger breeds. Some of them have less energy than the little dogs.

Greyhounds are always cited as lazy, with some being cat-tolerant. Lots of those needing homes.